City school system names ‘Teachers of the Year’

Posted on Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at 6:44 am

The Fayetteville City School System has recognized Teachers of the Year for the system’s three schools.

Jennifer Hale, Ralph Askins Elementary’s school counselor, has been named the RAS Teacher of the Year. Hale has been with the Fayetteville City Schools for six years. She enjoys helping others by finding positive connections in their lives.

Jennifer Hale

“I was fortunate enough to be raised in a loving, caring environment, and I strive to offer the same thing to my 650-plus students,” she said.

From her class, she hopes students will take away a sense of self-worth and strive to make a difference in other’s lives and their own.

Hale also serves as the school sponsor of the Garden Club and the Friendship through Yoga Program.

“I would like to thank the Fayetteville City School System and the Ralph Askins Elementary family for their support, encouragement and willingness to help me carry out the RAS school counseling program,” Hale said. “A great big thank you to the Fayetteville community who has been generous enough to help meet our students’ basic needs, encourage our students to participate in extracurricular activities and support our gifted staff.

Andrew Hall, sixth grade ELA teacher, has been named the Fayetteville Middle School Teacher of the Year. Hall has worked at the Fayetteville City Schools for seven years. Previously, he has taught the third and fourth grades.

“When I graduated high school, I was wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do as a career in my life, but I did enjoy working with the youth in the church I went to at that time,” Hall said. “After much thought and prayer, I decided there could be no better choice of a career than teaching. I wanted to be able to help students in all areas and be a positive motivator.”

What Hall ultimately hopes students will take away from their time with him is a passion for learning, the skills that allow them to continue learning and the confidence to take them through life.

“I also hope that when they leave my room that they will know that they are valuable, they are cared about and they can do whatever they want to do if they put their minds to it,” he added.

Brian Gulley

Brian Gulley, Fayetteville High School’s cosmetology instructor, has been named the FHS Teacher of the Year. Gulley has been with the school system for eight years and has 26 years of experience as a cosmetologist under his belt.

According to Gulley, Cosmetology is a field that can create lasting relationships with its clients and help people feel good about themselves. From his courses, he hopes that his students will take away a lifelong sense of learning, along with the confidence to pursue any career obstacle.

“I would like to thank those who nominated me for this award,” Gulley said. “It means a great deal to me, and I thank you very much.”

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